Green River mayor steps down

Green River Mayor Ed Bentley resigned effective Jan. 31. Mayor Bentley has been the mayor since he was elected by a landslide in November of 2005 when he ran against incumbent mayor Glen Dale Johnson. Bentley was involved in a court case involving his part in the shooting of a man in an armed robbery in Green River at the Comfort Inn. There was a high speed chase that followed and Bentley a highway patrol trooper at the time accidentally shot the man. All charges against Bentley were dismissed in Carbon County District Court. Bentley will be leaving the Green River area to pursue employment in Utah County.

This leaves Green River mayorless. Green River will go through the following procedure to replace Mayor Bentley: If a vacancy occurs in the office of municipal executive body the municipal legislative body shall appoint a person in the municipality who meets the qualifications for office to fill the unexpired term of the office vacated until the January following the next municipal election.

Qualifications are:

1. A resident of the municipality for at least 365 consecutive days immediately before the date of appointment.

2. Must be a registered voter in the municipality.

3. Must maintain residency within the boundaries of the municipality during the officer's term of office.

The person interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy may submit his/her name for consideration to Conae Black, City Recorder, until Feb.5, at 4 p.m. at Green River City Hall, 460 East Main Street. No other letters of consideration will be accepted after that.

The meeting to fill the vacancy will be Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Green River City Council Chambers.

Councilman Dan Harrison will serve as Mayor Protem until a new mayor is selected.